Ling: 'Mission accomplished'
Political science professor Yu-Long Ling’s 37-year tenure as the self-described “hot pepper” in Franklin College’s salad bowl is set to end this month.
Ling earned his bachelor’s degree from Soochow University School of Law located in China in 1963, his master’s from Indiana University School of Law in 1967, and his doctorate from IU in political science in 1973.
Ling is the Williams Chair in Law and Public Service and a regular columnist for the Daily Journal. Ling received the Senior Fulbright’s Fellowship and the Liberty Bell Award, the highest honor given by the Johnson County Bar Association, the list goes on.
Ling started working at Franklin College in 1972. Ling said he was attracted by the interpersonal relations between students and faculty. His favorite part of Franklin is that it’s a small college.
Ling said a favorite memory of his is from when his retirement was first announced. He received at least 25 e-mails from former students telling him of the impact he had on their lives.
“Retirement is a process,” Ling said.
He said it’s time for him to stop teaching and that during retirement he can do the things he likes and stop what he doesn’t.
Ling said he has a sense of accomplishment and relief, as well as “a great sense of excitement” when he thinks about the future.
Ling’s plans for retirement are somewhat in process already.
He is writing two books, “100 Persons That Shaped my Life” and an autobiography. “100 Persons” is a collection of stories from people including family members and friends expressing the ways they have shaped his life.
Ling said the college is evolving and getting bigger. He said it doesn’t feel like the place it used to be.
Ling has achieved many things during his career at Franklin. Now he is looking toward retirement with excitement.
“Mission accomplished,” Ling said.
I took every class Dr. Ling offered at Franklin College, and I can't tell you what a joy that was. His personal story is one that's rich, compelling and inspiring -- just like Dr. Ling in the flesh. He's one of the rare people who truly affect who you are and how you think about life. I'm honored to have known him, and I'll miss him a great deal.